Surfside Beach, SC, January 25, 2026
In Surfside Beach, local businesses, including Perry’s Bait & Tackle, are facing winter economic challenges due to reduced traffic and restaurant hours. The town’s Pier Committee declined a request for assistance, highlighting the interconnected struggles of small enterprises in the area. As tourism dips in winter, these businesses continue to adapt, engage with local governance, and explore collaborative solutions to sustain their operations through the offseason.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What challenge is Perry’s Bait & Tackle facing?
Experiencing financial losses due to reduced winter pier traffic and late opening schedules of nearby restaurants. This situation highlights the interconnectedness of local businesses within the Surfside Beach economy.
Why did Perry’s Bait & Tackle seek assistance?
Sought help to mitigate financial losses stemming from the significant slowdown in winter pier activity and the delayed operations of pier-adjacent eateries. They aimed to address the impact of seasonal economic challenges.
What was the outcome of Perry’s Bait & Tackle’s request to the town?
The Town Council decided against forwarding their request to the Pier Committee; a motion to refer it ultimately failed. This decision was noted in Mayor Krouse’s Weekly Update on January 15, 2026.
What is the role of the Surfside Beach Pier Committee?
Oversees commercial activities on and around the pier, strategizing prudent policies for commercial space, evaluating potential uses, and providing recommendations to the Town Council. Their work balances commercial interests with community needs.
How do winter months impact coastal businesses like Perry’s?
See a natural reduction in tourist activity and lower foot traffic, combined with cooler water temperatures leading to a slower fish bite. This seasonal shift significantly impacts businesses dependent on pier visitation and fishing.
Surfside Beach, SC
Coastal Businesses Navigate Winter Economic Currents
The spirit of entrepreneurship often shines brightest when faced with seasonal challenges. In Surfside Beach, a recent development involving a local bait and tackle shop highlights the dynamic economic landscape small businesses navigate, particularly during the quieter winter months.
Local businesses are the bedrock of the Myrtle Beach SC business community, fostering local economic growth and providing essential services and charm. Their ability to adapt and thrive, even through seasonal ebbs and flows, is crucial for the vitality of the entire Surfside Beach economy. The ongoing dialogue between local businesses and town committees reflects a shared commitment to finding effective solutions for sustainable commerce along our cherished coastline.
Perry’s Bait & Tackle Faces Winter Headwinds
Perry’s Bait & Tackle Shop, a familiar fixture on the Surfside Beach pier, recently sought assistance to mitigate financial losses. The shop’s request was prompted by a combination of factors, including reduced winter pier traffic and the late opening schedules of pier-adjacent restaurants. This situation underscores the interconnectedness of businesses within a localized economy; one sector’s operational adjustments can ripple through others.
Pier Committee Consideration and Outcome
The request from Perry’s Bait & Tackle, aimed at addressing the winter slowdown, was presented to the town. However, a motion to refer this request to the Pier Committee ultimately did not pass. This decision was noted in Mayor Krouse’s Weekly Update on January 15, 2026, for Surfside Beach, SC, indicating that the Town Council decided against forwarding the matter for committee review.
The Role of the Pier Committee in Surfside Beach
The Surfside Beach Pier Committee plays a vital role in overseeing the commercial activities on and around the town’s pier. Its responsibilities include strategizing prudent policies for commercial space, identifying and evaluating potential uses, assessing market values for leased spaces, and providing recommendations to the Town Council on operational improvements and other matters.
This committee’s work is essential for maintaining the pier as a thriving hub, balancing commercial interests with community needs and the broader Surfside Beach economy. Their structured approach ensures careful consideration of proposals that impact the pier’s future.
Understanding Seasonal Economic Challenges
Winter in coastal South Carolina, while still appealing, typically sees a natural reduction in tourist activity compared to peak seasons. This seasonal shift can lead to lower foot traffic for businesses directly dependent on pier visitation, such as bait and tackle shops. Additionally, cooler water temperatures in the winter months can lead to a slower fish bite, which can further impact fishing-related businesses.
The broader Grand Strand region, encompassing Horry and Georgetown Counties, relies heavily on tourism, with direct visitor spending contributing billions to the economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. This highlights the importance of sustained economic activity, even during off-peak times, to support South Carolina entrepreneurs and the many Myrtle Beach small business ventures that contribute to the region’s prosperity. Nationwide, winter tourism industries, including associated restaurants and lodging, can experience economic impacts from changing weather patterns.
Existing Partnerships and Future Outlook
Perry’s Bait & Tackle has demonstrated an active role in the Surfside Beach community, including a standing agreement with the Town to sell municipal merchandise on a consignment basis, a partnership effective until March 31, 2026. Furthermore, in late 2025, representatives from Perry’s Bait & Tackle provided positive feedback to the Pier Committee regarding a proposal for a family discount on fishing passes, believing it would boost sales. Such collaborative efforts between local businesses and municipal bodies are vital for fostering a supportive business environment and driving local economic growth.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Business Involved | Perry’s Bait & Tackle Shop | Local |
| Location of Event | Surfside Beach, SC | Local |
| Nature of Request | Mitigation of losses due to low winter pier traffic and late restaurant openings | Local |
| Outcome of Request | Motion to refer to Pier Committee failed | Local |
| Date of Update | January 15, 2026 | Local |
| Pier Committee Role | Assists Town in commercial strategy for pier, evaluates uses, provides recommendations | Local |
| Winter Fishing Impact | Slower fish bite due to lower water temperatures | State-level |
| Grand Strand Tourism Economy | $4.8 billion direct visitor spending (FY 2015), supporting 83,000 jobs in Horry and Georgetown Counties | State-level |
| National Winter Tourism Impact | Can be impacted by weather patterns, affecting various businesses including restaurants and lodging | Nationwide |
Supporting Local Resilience
The situation involving Perry’s Bait & Tackle is a reminder of the challenges and resilience inherent in the Myrtle Beach SC business landscape. It underscores the importance of fostering an environment where small businesses can innovate and adapt. Engaging with local governance, such as the Pier Committee, offers avenues for businesses to articulate their needs and contribute to shaping policies that support economic vitality.
We encourage our readers to continue supporting our Surfside Beach economy by frequenting local businesses. Your patronage is a direct investment in the entrepreneurial spirit and the long-term prosperity of our community. Stay engaged with HEREmyrtlebeach.com for more insights into how our South Carolina entrepreneurs are shaping the future of our local economic growth.
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
